HRH The Duchess of Sussex & Clare Waight Keller in Givenchy Haute Couture
Gorgeous models, internationally acclaimed fashion innovators, renowned industry insiders, possibly the most star-studded guest list to date and even a surprise royal guest appearance helped make this year’s Fashion Awards exceptionally glamorous. The British Fashion Council, in association with Swarovski, held the event, which celebrates the most talented individuals in the industry over the past 12 months, on December 10.
Alek Wek in custom Emilia Wickstead
Alexa Chung in Alexa Chung
Arizona Muse
The winners, hosts, nominees and guests just kept on thrilling with lashings of glitzy high fashion as they posed before heading into London’s Royal Albert Hall. And whether on the red carpet stairs, in front of a circular sparkling statue or some beautiful greenery decorated with gold letters, the impressive parade of fashion came just in time to give us oodles of dreamy inspo as we prepare for party season.
Brooke Shields
Carine Restoin-Roitfeld
Cindy Bruna
Metallic dresses were undoubtedly one of the night’s biggest trends, with Kendall Jenner and Kaia Gerber making two of the most head-turning and daring entrances. Model of the Year winner Gerber, 17, chose an asymmetrical metallic top with dramatic cut-outs and fringe detail, which she paired with cropped trousers. Meanwhile, the “Keeping Up With the Kardashians” star took the nude dress concept to another level with a sheer glittering gold gown featuring a thigh-high slit. Another one who is taking the modelling world by storm and stunned in gold, a traditionally festive colour, was Sudanese-Australian Adut Akech in her brocade dress. Other catwalk beauties, Jourdan Dunn and Winnie Harlow, who was a finalist for Model of the Year, got pulses racing in magnificent sequin gowns with feather detail. Plus, Penelope Cruz looked amazing in a long, tight fitting silver gown, while Naomie Harris rocked a retro embellished mini dress. French model Gabrielle Caunesil also went for a mini dress, although a lace one, but it was her thigh-high sparkling boots, which just went to the top of our holiday must-have list, which stole the show.
Cindy Crawford and Kaia Gerber (in Alexander McQueen)
Gabrielle Caunesil
HRH The Duchess of Sussex in custom Givenchy Haute Couture
Black was another popular choice, with Cindy Crawford, who keeps reasserting her place in the fashion world, opting for the classic evening colour. Her off-the-shoulder velvet gown with floral embellishment and thigh-high slit was elegance personified. Uma Turman also stole hearts in a long-sleeve velvet dress featuring silver embellishments on the shoulder. And the final piece of evidence that black velvet is very much in came from Meghan Markle, who was glowing in a simple bespoke one-shoulder silk velvet asymmetrical dragged gown. HRH The Duchess of Sussex made a surprise appearance to present the Designer of the Year Womenswear award to Claire Waight Keller, the Artistic Director at Givenchy who created the wedding dress as well as many other custom outfits for the royal. Carine Restoin-Roitfeld’s silky black wrap dress and Cindy Bruna’s black halterneck gown with feathered hem were also noteworthy. Additionally, Lebanese Tania Fares, who is a British “Vogue” contributor, an advocate of London fashion and an art patron, demonstrated how a touch of white can help create a flawless monochrome lace dress.
Jourdan Dunn in 16 Arlington
Kendall Jenner in Julien Macdonald
Penelope Cruz (in Chanel) and Kate Moss
Poppy Delevingne in Prada
We also spotted some standout black jumpsuits. Victoria Beckham, who was nominated for British Designer of the Year Womenswear, looked typically sleek in a simple floor-length one, while Sara Sampaio radiated natural beauty in a sheer one-shoulder ensemble. Brooke Shields also opted for trousers, with her all-black look incorporating lace and metallic accents.
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley in Givenchy
Sara Sampaio in David Koma
Tania Fares
Pops of colour also helped make it fashion’s biggest night out. Adding a larger larger-than-life pink bow to her Swarovski-encrusted black dress was a streak of sartorial genius by Alek Wek, the evening’s host. And British legend Kate Moss wowed in an emerald satin dress with matching platforms. Fashion reference and designer Alexa Chung also made an impression in a mustard velvet midi dress, while Poppy Delevingne looked pretty in a pink dress of dreams. We fell for some bright standout outfits featuring trousers too. Some of our favourites included Arizona Muse’s coral lace jumpsuit, which she accessorised with an obi belt, and Georgia May Jagger’s suit that made a case for winter pastel pink. Another suit that caught our eye was Edie Campbell’s shimmery blue one, which came with wide black lapels and hip slits on the trousers.
Uma Thurman in Prada
Victoria Beckham in Victoria Beckham
THE MAJOR WINNERS:
Accessories Designer of the Year: Demna Gvasalia for Balenciaga
Brand of the Year: Gucci
British Designer of the Year Menswear: Craig Green for Craig Green
British Designer of the Year Womenswear: Clare Waight Keller for Givenchy
British Emerging Talent Menswear: Samuel Ross for A-Cold-Wall
British Emerging Talent Womenswear: Richard Quinn for Richard Quinn
Designer of the Year: Pierpaolo Piccioli for Valentino
Model of the Year: Kaia Gerber
Outstanding Achievement Award: Miuccia Prada
Swarovski Award for Positive Change: Vivienne Westwood
Naomie Harris
Winnie Harlow in Atelier Versace
